Monday Musings with The Blended Mama

The Blended Mama
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship

Monday Musings with The Blended Mama is gentle encouragement for busy women finding calm in the chaos. If you’re juggling family, work, faith, planning, perimenopause, or just the quiet mental load of holding everything together — you are not alone. Each week, we share honest reflections and practical mindset shifts to help you reduce overwhelm, build supportive routines, and take one small, steady step forward. No hustle culture. No all-or-nothing resets. No pressure to become a brand new person every Monday. Just thoughtful perspective, sustainable rhythms, and real-life planning that supports the season you’re in. Because calm doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from doing what matters — with intention. New episodes every Monday.

  1. 1d ago

    S3E6 Beyond Experience

    It's easy to think we need to know just a little more before we begin. One more class. One more book. One more plan. One more tutorial. But what if the thing holding us back isn't a lack of knowledge...it's believing we have to become an expert before we're ready? In this week's episode of Monday Musings with The Blended Mama, I'm reflecting on Habit #3 from How Women Rise: Overvaluing Expertise and how growth often begins when we're willing to take the first step before we have everything figured out. Because your expertise may get you here. Growth may require something different. In This Episode💜 Why expertise is valuable—but isn't the whole story 💜 How I almost talked myself out of starting this podcast 💜 The difference between preparing and hiding in preparation 💜 Why asking questions, listening, and building relationships have become some of my most valuable skills Reflection QuestionWhere am I continuing to prepare when I may already know enough to begin? This Week's Gentle StepTake one thing you've been preparing to do and replace one planning step with one action step. Send the email. Make the phone call. Write the first paragraph. Take one small step forward. Resources & Links💜 Learn more about the Purpose & Progress Place: https://theblendedmama.com/the-purpose-progress-place/ 💜 Download my free Calendar Alignment Checklist: https://the-blended-mama.aweb.page/calendar-alignment-checklist 💜 Browse my planner favorites, resources, and all of my current links: https://theblendedmama.com/shop 💜 Planner products and planning tools: https://tulaxiipaperco.com/theblendedmama 💜 Shop my Amazon favorites (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/shop/theblendedmamacc As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for listening, friend. Remember: Your expertise may get you here. Growth may require something different.

  2. Aug 3

    S3.E5 Preparing for What's Next

    It's easy to get caught up in the tasks right in front of us. The emails. The meetings. The laundry. The planner. The social media posts. But what if those ordinary moments are preparing us for something we can't see yet? In this week's episode of Monday Musings with The Blended Mama, I'm reflecting on Habit #6 from How Women Rise: Putting My Job Before My Career and why growth isn't always about changing jobs—sometimes it's about growing into the person you're becoming. Because today's faithfulness is preparing tomorrow's opportunities. In This Episode💜 Why some of my greatest leadership lessons came from outside my day job 💜 How ordinary work can quietly prepare us for future opportunities 💜 Why growth isn't always linear 💜 A simple planning question that's changed the way I set my goals Reflection QuestionWhat ordinary work in my life might actually be preparing me for something bigger? This Week's Gentle StepAs you plan your week, don't just ask, "What do I need to do?" Ask yourself: "Who am I becoming through the things I'm doing this week?" Resources & Links💜 Learn more about the Purpose & Progress Place: https://theblendedmama.com/the-purpose-progress-place/ 💜 Download my free 10-Minute Reset Bookmark: https://the-blended-mama.aweb.page/chaos-coordinator-guide 💜 Browse my planner favorites, resources, and all of my current links: https://theblendedmama.com/shop 💜 Planner products and planning tools (affiliate link): https://tulaxiipaperco.com/theblendedmama 💜 Shop my Amazon favorites (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/shop/theblendedmamacc As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for listening, friend. Remember: Today's faithfulness is preparing tomorrow's opportunities.

  3. Aug 1

    S3E4 Don't Shrink Your Story

    Have you ever caught yourself saying... "I'm just a mom." "It's just a little side business." "I was just lucky." It's such a small word. But I've realized that sometimes "just" has a way of making us smaller without us even realizing it. In this week's episode of Monday Musings with The Blended Mama, I'm reflecting on Habit #9 from How Women Rise: Minimizing. After coming home from conference, I found myself thinking about the conversations around our Airbnb table, the encouragement I received from women I've had the privilege of serving, and an unexpected lesson from a tradition my best friend and I almost let go. Sometimes we minimize our accomplishments. Sometimes we minimize our struggles. Sometimes we minimize our need for rest. And sometimes we minimize the very things that matter most. What if we stopped shrinking our stories? Because what feels small to you may be significant to someone else. In This Episode💜 How the word "just" can quietly minimize our gifts and our stories 💜 Why some of the most meaningful moments happen in ordinary conversations 💜 An unexpected lesson from a friendship tradition 💜 How minimizing can show up in the way we plan our weeks Reflection QuestionWhere am I using the word "just" to make myself smaller? This Week's Gentle StepPay attention to the word "just." Each time you catch yourself saying it, pause and ask: Am I making myself smaller...or am I simply telling the truth? Resources & Links💜 Learn more about the Purpose & Progress Place: https://theblendedmama.com/the-purpose-progress-place/ 💜 Download my free 10-Minute Reset Bookmark: https://the-blended-mama.aweb.page/chaos-coordinator-guide 💜 Browse my planner favorites, resources, and all of my current links: https://theblendedmama.com/shop Thank you for listening, friend. Remember: What feels small to you may be significant to someone else.

  4. Jul 20

    S3E3 Done is Still Progress Even If It Isn't Perfect

    How many things have you been waiting to finish because you wanted them to be perfect? Maybe it's a project sitting on your desk, a planner page you're afraid to "mess up," a social media post that's been living in your drafts, or a conversation you've been putting off until you have just the right words. In this episode of Monday Musings with The Blended Mama, we're jumping ahead to Habit #7 from How Women Rise: The Perfection Trap. This isn't a conversation about lowering your standards or settling for less. It's about recognizing the difference between excellence and perfectionism—and giving yourself permission to move forward before everything feels flawless. I share how creating conference Reels pushed me outside my comfort zone, why I've learned to embrace messy planner pages, and how imperfect action often becomes our greatest teacher. Because done is still progress—even when it isn't perfect. In This Episode💜 The difference between striving for excellence and chasing perfection 💜 Why confidence often comes after we begin—not before 💜 What awkward Instagram Reels taught me about growth 💜 How a planner full of crossed-out tasks tells the story of a life that's actually being lived 💜 A simple planner practice to celebrate progress instead of perfection Reflection QuestionsWhere does perfectionism show up most often in my life?What am I waiting to finish because I want it to be perfect?Am I striving for excellence…or demanding perfection from myself?What might I learn if I allowed myself to begin before I felt completely ready?Planner Tie-InAs you review your week, find one thing you completed that wasn't perfect but still accomplished its purpose. Put a small heart, star, or checkmark next to it. Not because it was flawless. But because it mattered. Because it was finished. Because it helped you grow. Growth almost always looks a little messy while it's happening. This Week's Gentle StepThink of one thing you've been waiting to finish because you're trying to make it perfect. Then give yourself permission to complete it this week. Not perfectly. Just faithfully. Just honestly. Just done. And when you review your planner, mark it with a little heart or star as a reminder: Done is still progress—even when it isn't perfect. Resources & Links💜 Download the free 10-Minute Reset Bookmark: https://the-blended-mama.aweb.page/chaos-coordinator-guide 💜 Planner products and planning tools: https://tulaxiipaperco.com/theblendedmama 💜 Shop my Amazon favorites (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/shop/theblendedmamacc As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 💜 Find me on all the social media platforms and follow along with us at conference: https://theblendedmama.com/links Thank you for spending a few minutes with me today. Remember, friend: The world rarely needs our perfection. It needs our willingness to show up. Because growth doesn't require becoming someone else. Sometimes it simply requires being brave enough to begin before you feel ready.

  5. Jul 13

    S3.E2 Visibility Isn't Bragging

    How often do you explain away a compliment? Maybe someone praises a project you've completed, a goal you've achieved, or something you've created, and your first instinct is to point out all the ways it could have been better. If so, you're not alone. In this episode of Monday Musings with The Blended Mama, we're exploring the first habit from How Women Rise: a reluctance to claim our achievements. But this conversation isn't really about bragging. It's about visibility. For many women, acknowledging accomplishments feels uncomfortable because we don't want to appear arrogant or self-focused. Yet when we constantly minimize our contributions, we make it harder to recognize our own growth and harder for others to understand the value we bring. This week, I share a personal story about receiving a compliment after book club, reflects on how her perspective on performance reviews has evolved over the years, and explores why visibility is often less about recognition and more about creating understanding. Because visibility isn't bragging. It's allowing your contributions to be seen. And visibility creates opportunity. In This Episode💜 Why so many women struggle to receive compliments 💜 The difference between visibility and bragging 💜 How minimizing accomplishments can hold us back 💜 What performance reviews taught Teresa about documenting her work 💜 Why "I'm still learning" doesn't erase what you've already accomplished 💜 A simple planner practice to help you recognize your own progress Reflection QuestionsWhat accomplishments do I tend to dismiss?What would I say to a friend who accomplished the same things I've accomplished?Where am I minimizing my contributions?What might change if I allowed my accomplishments to count?Planner Tie-InCreate an "I Did That" Page in your planner or journal. Instead of focusing only on what still needs to be done, create a space to capture evidence of progress. Consider recording: ✔ Projects completed ✔ Habits maintained ✔ Challenges overcome ✔ New things you've tried ✔ Compliments you've received ✔ Small wins worth celebrating Growth is easier to recognize when you keep a record of it. This Week's Gentle StepWrite down three things you've done recently. Not goals. Not plans. Not things you're working toward. Three things you've already done. Then resist the urge to explain them away. No disclaimers. No minimizing. No "but..." Just let them be true. Resources & Links💜 Download the free 10-Minute Reset Bookmark: https://the-blended-mama.aweb.page/chaos-coordinator-guide 💜 Planner products and tools: https://tulaxiipaperco.com/theblendedmama 💜 Shop my Amazon favorites (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/shop/theblendedmamacc As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 💜 Find how to follow me on all the social media places: https://theblendedmama.com/shop Thank you for spending a few minutes with me today. Remember, friend: Growth doesn't require becoming someone else. Sometimes it begins by seeing yourself clearly enough to acknowledge how far you've already come.

  6. Jul 6

    S3.E1 - What Might Be Quietly Holding Me Back

    Welcome to Season 3 of Monday Musings with The Blended Mama! This season, we're exploring ideas inspired by How Women Rise by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith. But don't worry—this isn't a book report. Instead, we'll be using the concepts from the book as a starting point for conversations about everyday life, personal growth, confidence, planning, relationships, and the habits that may be shaping our lives more than we realize. In this first episode, we're talking about awareness. Sometimes the things holding us back aren't dramatic or obvious. Sometimes they're patterns we've been repeating for so long that they've simply become part of our normal routine. After returning from a staycation and stepping back into my regular routines, I reflect on how habits often become visible only when they're interrupted—and why awareness is the first step toward meaningful growth. If growth doesn't require becoming someone else, perhaps it begins with noticing who we already are. In This Episode💜 Why routines are really a form of habit 💜 How our strengths can sometimes create challenges 💜 The difference between self-awareness and self-criticism 💜 Why "I'll just do it myself" might be worth a closer look 💜 How reflection can help us recognize patterns in our lives 💜 The season theme: Growth doesn't require becoming someone else Reflection QuestionsWhat is one pattern you've noticed in yourself recently?Where might one of your strengths be creating challenges?What would change if you approached yourself with curiosity instead of criticism?What might become possible if you simply paid attention?This Week's Gentle StepNotice one pattern. Don't fix it. Don't judge it. Don't create a plan for it. Just notice it. Write it down in your planner, journal, or on a sticky note and observe it with curiosity. Resources & Links💜 Download the free 10-Minute Reset Bookmark: https://the-blended-mama.aweb.page/chaos-coordinator-guide 💜 Planner products and tools: https://tulaxiipaperco.com/theblendedmama 💜 Shop my Amazon favorites (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/shop/theblendedmamacc As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for spending a few minutes with me today. Remember, friend: Growth doesn't require becoming someone else. It begins with noticing who you already are.

  7. Jun 29

    S2.Finale What I Learned About Finding My People

    As we wrap up our Find Your People season, I'm reflecting on what I learned about friendship, community, vulnerability, and receiving support during one of the hardest seasons our family has faced. When I started this season, I thought finding your people meant building deeper friendships and creating stronger connections. What I didn't expect was that life would give me the opportunity to experience firsthand what happens when you actually need those people. Over the past few months, our family has walked through a serious accident, unexpected medical challenges, hospital stays, and a lot of uncertainty. Through it all, I learned something I'll carry with me for a long time: The people who show up matter. In this episode, I'm sharing the lessons that surprised me most about community, asking for help, accepting support, and recognizing the people who quietly carry part of the load when life gets heavy. In This Episode💜 Why asking for help is harder than I realized 💜 How community is revealed during difficult seasons 💜 The small acts of kindness that made a lasting impact 💜 What it means to truly receive support 💜 Why the people who show up matter Reflection QuestionsWho is in my village?Have I thanked them?Who needs me right now?What kind of friend do I want to be moving forward?Am I willing to receive help when it's offered?This Week's Gentle StepReach out to one person who has shown up for you. Thank them. Tell them what their support meant. Don't assume they know. Looking AheadNext season, we'll be reading How Women Rise and exploring the habits and patterns that can quietly hold us back from becoming who we're meant to be. Together, we'll have honest conversations about confidence, growth, self-awareness, and giving ourselves permission to move forward with grace. Connect With Me💜 Download my free 10-Minute Reset Bookmark A simple printable to help you reset when life feels overwhelming. https://the-blended-mama.aweb.page/chaos-coordinator-guide 💜 Shop My Favorite Planner Products Beginning July 1 at 11:00 AM ET, you'll find the planners, journals, and accessories I use in my own planning routine. https://tulaxiipaperco.com/theblendedmama 💜 Grace Upon Grace T-Shirt One of my favorite reminders that growth doesn't require perfection. https://dwellapparel.com/products/copy-of-be-the-light-matthew-5-14-unisex-tee?ref=theblendedmama 💜 Amazon Storefront Browse my favorite planning supplies, books, office tools, and everyday finds. https://www.amazon.com/shop/theblendedmamacc Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase through them. There is no additional cost to you, and I only share products I personally use, love, or genuinely recommend. Thank you for spending part of your day with me. Until next time... Keep planning with purpose and coordinate that chaos.

  8. May 19 ·  Bonus

    S2 – Bonus Episode: You Learn Who Your Village Is When You Need One

    Season 2 – Special Episode: You Learn Who Your Village Is When You Need One Episode Summary: A serious accident and unexpected medical discoveries changed everything for our family over the last few weeks. In this episode, I’m reflecting on what community really looks like when life gets hard—and the people who showed up in ways I’ll never forget. This Week’s Gentle Step: Reach out to one person who showed up for you and thank them. Reflection Questions: • Who is in my village? • Have I thanked them? • Who might need me to show up right now? For More Info: 👉 https://theblendedmama.com/links Final Thought: The people who show up matter. 💜

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Monday Musings with The Blended Mama is gentle encouragement for busy women finding calm in the chaos. If you’re juggling family, work, faith, planning, perimenopause, or just the quiet mental load of holding everything together — you are not alone. Each week, we share honest reflections and practical mindset shifts to help you reduce overwhelm, build supportive routines, and take one small, steady step forward. No hustle culture. No all-or-nothing resets. No pressure to become a brand new person every Monday. Just thoughtful perspective, sustainable rhythms, and real-life planning that supports the season you’re in. Because calm doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from doing what matters — with intention. New episodes every Monday.

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